Quick-Fire Baby Mattress FAQ

What Size Mattress Do I Need?

The size you need should be marked on the base of your cot. As a guide, measure the internal maximum length and width (bar to bar), then subtract 3-4cm from each measurement. For example, if a cot measures 124 x 64cm, you need a mattress 120 x 60cm.

With older cots coming out of lofts, you may find the measurement was in inches. Just make sure the space between the mattress and the cot side isn't larger than two fingers placed side by side.

What's the Difference Between a Cot, Crib, and Bassinet?

A cot is suitable from newborn up to about 2-3 years, but many children are ready for a cot bed or single bed closer to age 2. Think of it as the "big-kid training wheels" stage.

When to switch? There's no official rulebook. Some little adventurers start climbing like tiny ninjas early, while others are perfectly happy to stay put. Go with what suits your child and your sanity!

Cribs - as soon as your child can sit up unaided, it's time for them to leave for safety reasons.

How Firm Should a Baby Mattress Be?

Press the palms of your hands firmly on the mattress. It should either feel firm with no dip at all, or feel firm and spring back immediately. If you press hard down and it leaves a dent that doesn't immediately spring back, that mattress is not acceptable.

Your baby has to lie on a firm, flat surface for safer sleep. However, there's a balance between "firm like a brick" and comfort - where the foam or coir and wool is firm but has an initial welcome.

Is Foam or Spring Better?

A solid foam block mattress is cheaper but tends to use cheaper foam that will dip or dent earlier. A sprung mattress (springs encapsulated in quality foam) uses higher-grade foam and provides even support plus a stable, firm surface for newborns.

Be wary of any mattress where the manufacturer doesn't proudly tell you the actual foam specification. Look for at least grade 35/135.

Is BS EN 16890 Enough?

Short answer: EN16890 is the bare minimum. It's a test standard, not a specification. It doesn't enforce specific foam density or spring gauge. That's why a cheap mattress and a premium one can both say "complies."

Reality check: "Complies with 16890" = minimum safety bar, not quality.

What Does "Hypoallergenic" Mean?

It's a vague marketing comfort word giving you the idea of reassurance. "Hypoallergenic" is a meaningless, fluffy word that has no legal definition and is not regulated. Don't be taken in by it!

Do I Need Waterproof or Just a Protector?

You're getting confused! It's not the mattress that's waterproof - it's the waterproof protector that makes the mattress waterproof, preventing urine, sweat, and vomit from reaching the mattress base.

Beware of mattresses promoted as "water resistant" - they're NOT "waterproof"!

What's the Safest Sleep Surface for SIDS?

First, it has to be firm and flat. Test by pressing your palms down with very little depression. If there's slight depression that recovers IMMEDIATELY, that's added comfort. If it doesn't recover or leaves a dent, it's OK for your dog! There must also be waterproof protection to the mattress core.

Do I Need a New Mattress or Can I Reuse One?

Yes, you can reuse if:

• You know its history and can verify it was well maintained
• The mattress has a waterproof protector (not water resistant)
• Covers were regularly washed at 60°C
• No visible dents or dips
• Stored in clean condition, sealed in plastic

When Should I Replace a Baby Mattress?

Any dips or dents, or if any body fluids like urine, sweat, or vomit have reached the mattress core - whether it's fibre, foam, or natural coir and wool.

Do I Need Dual-Firmness (Infant/Toddler) Mattresses?

Well, personally I think they're a "marketing con" (I'll get some flak for that!).

Why not have a high-quality mattress the same on both sides? The foam covering the springs should be firm, top-quality foam. You can actually extend the life by flipping it regularly - so why not have both sides the same?

What's the Ideal Mattress Thickness?

British Standard suggests 10cm deep. Watch out for companies saying their mattress is 13cm deep as "better" - if the foam is poor quality, it doesn't matter if it's 15cm deep; it will dip and dent. Think quality, not quantity!

You'll also see cot mattresses 7cm and even 5cm deep. OK for occasional visits to grandparents, but not for everyday, year-on-year use.

How Should the Mattress Fit the Cot?

Stick to the "two finger rule" - the gap should not be wider than the width of two fingers placed side by side between the mattress and cot sides.

Are Cooling/Temperature-Regulating Mattresses Worth It?

Yes, but they need waterproof protection. If you put waterproof protection OVER the temperature-cooling cover, it doesn't work!

The solution: put a separate zip-on waterproof cover to seal the mattress core, then use a temperature-controlled fabric like CoolMax backed by a spacer fabric like MaxiSpace on top.

Do Vent Holes Improve Airflow?

Oh no no - these were a big error in the 80s! The foam with holes in weakened where the head was, and if the child was sick or dribbled, that went into the holes and couldn't be properly cleaned. Let's leave that there!

How Heavy Should a Baby Mattress Be?

Great question! There's no British Standard for weight, but better-quality mattresses are typically the heaviest.

For a 140 x 70cm cot bed mattress:

• Under 2kg = cheap rubbish, avoid!
• 2kg = marketing blurb is a fairy tale
• 4.5kg = minimum for taking a 5-year-old's weight
• 6-10kg = top quality mattresses

Can I Trust Reviews?

Easy - "You Cannot Trust Reviews!" Here's why:

Most good reviews on baby mattresses are completed in the first week the mattress has arrived. Customers feel under pressure to complete a review, but they're worthless because there's no valuable judgment on how the mattress has performed over time!

None of the reviews for cheaper mattresses say "We have had this mattress for 2 or 3 years and it has been outstanding."